FURNACE
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• Furnace Inspection

 

 

 

FURNACE INSPECTION

A THOROUGH FURNACE INSPECTION WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO HOURS

Many furnace inspections are designed to keep service personnel busy during the slow season. It may also be used to help train less experienced service persons. Furnace inspections are also priced based on how much the average customer is willing to pay for a furnace inspection. Some companies use this as a tactic to sell new furnaces.

We believe that when a furnace inspection is done it should have a real benefit for the customer. “Checks Good” is an opinion and does not mean that your furnace is OK. If the rated gas pressure at the burner manifold is 3.5 inches of water column pressure and some one bothers to measure the manifold pressure and finds that it is indeed 3.5 inches of water column pressure, then we have imperial data that can prove that part of the furnace is functioning properly. This is similar to looking at the tires on a car instead of measuring tire pressure with a pressure gauge. If one could tell by looking, there would be no need for tire pressure gauges.

Diaphragm type gas pressure gauge	Magnehelic type gas pressure gauge

If cost is an issue it is our opinion that a thorough furnace inspection done every two or three years is a much better value than a cursory inspection that is done every year.

Listed below is the type of inspection that assures that your furnace works properly. This inspection is the premium furnace inspection.
Make ___________ Model______________________
Series ________________
Product #______ _______________ ____
Serial __________________________________
Temperature rise for furnace (rated) from _______to______Degrees.
Blower horsepower________
Input ____________ Output ________
Motor amperes (rated)__________________
1. Does thermostat work OK? ____
2. Do rooms in house heat or cool evenly? ___________
3. Are there any humidity problems? (To dry or to wet) _____
4. Does Homeowner have a carbon monoxide detector/alarm? _____
5. Check wiring for loose connections ____
6. Check pilot or ignition source __________
7. Check heat exchanger for rust __________
8. Check heat exchanger for cracks ________
9. Clean heat exchanger if necessary __________
10. Check burners for rust and dirt _________
11. Clean burners if necessary _____________
12. Clean blower motor with air -__________
13. Blower motor amperes ________
14. Clean blower wheel with air ___________
15. Oil bearings except for sealed bearings ____
16. Change Air Filter ___________________
17. Clean power ventor motor if used ________
18. Power ventor motor amperes _________
19. Check for gas leaks ___________________
20. Appliance connector meets code ______
21. Sediment trap on gas line ____________
22. Manifold gas pressure ______________
23. Check pilot or ignition safety control
24. Check limit switch off temperature____.
25. Check fan control time on ___ time off ___
26. Check burners for proper ignition
27. Supply air temperature______
28. Return Air Temperature________
29. Actual temperature rise _______
30. Combustion air___________
31. Fire Hazards Flue Clearance ____ inches Combustible materials ______________

You can watch us do the inspection if you want. We welcome comparison with other companies.
If you are having a furnace clean & check done and the service person says that you have a cracked heat exchanger, do no feel pressured into buying a new furnace immediately. You will probably pay an inflated price for the new furnace. Have the service person show you the crack in the heat exchanger. Sometimes a welded seam looks like a crack.

If you do not have a carbon monoxide alarm get one immediately. Get one with a digital read out and place it near where you sleep so you can hear it if the alarm goes off. These alarms are available at home center stores and are quite sensitive. The alarm will sound long before a dangerous level of carbon monoxide is reached. [see purchasing a new furnace , carbon monoxide alarms]

Crack the windows in the bedrooms.

Call us for a second opinion. If you do need a new furnace you will have the advantage of a second competitive price for the furnace.